Glossop North End 2 Barnsley 2

A TERRIFIC crowd of over 500 squeezed into Surrey Street on Saturday for a fabulous game in which North End fully deserved their draw with last season’s FA Cup semi-finalists. The Tykes had arrived on the back of a 4-1 victory at Buxton the evening before, leaving out former Manchester City Jon Macken and new signing Darren Moore, but still fielding six men who had played in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

A TERRIFIC crowd of over 500 squeezed into Surrey Street on Saturday for a fabulous game in which North End fully deserved their draw with last season’s FA Cup semi-finalists.

The Tykes had arrived on the back of a 4-1 victory at Buxton the evening before, leaving out former Manchester City Jon Macken and new signing Darren Moore, but still fielding six men who had played in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

Glossop were also under strength, with Steff Fielding, Danny Yates, Jay Gorton and Darren Hamilton all on holiday.

Nevertheless, Glossop took the lead in the ninth minute when Dave Young curled a free kick from the left edge of the area, the low ball evading everyone and nestling in the corner of the net.

North End were visibly confident as Bailey had a shot blocked and Young forced another save when Kyle Letheren pushed away a free kick.

At the other end, Glossop’s Lee Williams showed some smart keeping, particularly when quickly off his line to block Togwell.

Barnsley were belatedly establishing a foothold in the game when a defensive error again put them on the back foot.

A headed back pass landed well short of Letheren, and former Glossop junior Damon Healy reacted quickest to dispatch a smart finish and establish a two-goal half time lead.

That saw Barnsley remove Brian Howard and replace him with ex-Real Madrid man Carlos Leon who turned the game on its head with passes that rarely went astray and amazing control; his cameo was worth the £4 admission in itself.

He, along with Togwell and Johnson, hit the woodwork for the visitors with Glossop’s 16-year-old keeper Matt Ince forced into some good saves.

The inevitable goal came in the 73rd minute when Rob Kozluk met Leon’s deep cross and looped a header over Ince.

Two minutes later, Jamil Adam capitalised on some good work from Leon and produced a tidy finish from the penalty spot to make it 2-2.

A winner might have come as Togwell forced another save from Ince, but a draw was the right result and both sets of players received a tremendous ovation.

SATURDAY’S planned friendly with Hallam FC has been cancelled in order to give the Surrey Street pitch extra preparation time. The next chance to see Steve Young’s team at home will be against Hyde United on July 30.